Browsing by Author "Mwakalobo, Adam Beni Swebe"

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    Frontiers in microfnance research for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and microfnance institutions (MFIs): a bibliometric analysis
    (Springer Open, 2023) Lwesya, Francis; Mwakalobo, Adam Beni Swebe
    This article aims to present current research trends in microfnance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and microfnance institutions (MFIs), as microfnance plays an increasingly role in entrepreneurship development and poverty alleviation. The study uses a bibliometric analysis, in this work, we performed citation, bibliographic coupling, and keyword evolution analyses. The results show that research in microfnance for SMEs and microfnance institutions continue to grow. The authors found that recent research in microfnance for SMEs and microfnance institutions has evolved around eight thematic clusters, covering (1) access to and constraints on microcredit for SMEs (2) microfnance and economic empowerment, (3) sustainability of MFIs, (4) creditworthiness, microfnance technology infrastructure and fnancing patterns, (5) Islamic fnancial inclusion, (6) credit assessment models for microcredit, (7) microfnance and innovative business models, and (8) gender and equity crowdfunding. Research gaps in each of the thematic clusters are identifed. Topics related to COVID-19, Islamic social fnance, microfnance institutions, credit scoring models, crowdfunding, and entrepreneurial fnance are likely to feature in the domain of microfnance and sustainability of MFIs in future.
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    Managerial skills for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
    (Sciendo in Poland, 2022) Ng’ora, Sebastian; Mwakalobo, Adam Beni Swebe; Lwesya, Francis
    Effective managerial skills can play a key role in the internal governance of micro and small businesses in Africa, enabling them to survive, compete and thrive in a dynamic business environment. However, due to the low absorption capacity, many micro and small entrepreneurs and managers lack the necessary managerial skills. We collected data from MSMEs owners and managers in Tanzania to examine the managerial skills required and their effect on business performance based on thematic content analysis and regression analysis. The results show that the managerial skills of MSMEs owners and managers have a significantly positive effect on MSMEs performance, in particular, financial management, marketing, human relations, and entrepreneurial skills were crucial skills in running small businesses successfully. However, financial management, marketing and entrepreneurial skills were the main skills gaps for many MSMEs owners and managers, suggesting that education, mentoring, and training in these areas for MSMEs owners and managers need to be strengthened. This study argues that since young people form the majority of the stakeholders running small businesses, targeted policies and strategies to promote entrepreneurship among young people through entrepreneurial learning and experiences can help instil an entrepreneurial mindset, one of the crucial skills in small business management.
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    Utilization of non-financial business support services to aid development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Tanzania
    (Sage, 2021) Lwesyaa, Francis; Mwakalobo, Adam Beni Swebe; Mbukwa, Justine
    A variety of factors inhibit the development of MSMEs in African countries, which in turn affects entrepreneurship, job creation and economic transformation. Using cross-sectional data from 250 MSMEs in the Dar es Salaam region, we find in most of the examined variables the positive relationship between the use of non-financial business support services (BDS) and the development of MSMEs in the Dar es Salaam region. However, contrary to expectations, building business linkages and mentoring programs recorded negative relationships with MSMEs development. This is related to restricted capacities stemming from the size of MSMEs compared to large companies and deficiencies in the content of mentoring programs. In addition, the discrepancy between BDS demand and supply as well as the low adoption rate of BDS are associated with the inadequate adaptation of BDS to the needs of MSMEs, high service costs and a lack of qualified service providers. Thus, we argue that the provision of BDS to MSMEs should be demand-driven and that institutions should build on the pre-eminent characteristics of MSMEs when designing business support programs. On the other hand, Government efforts to nurture the development of MSMEs through policies and programs should extend to promoting business linkages between MSMEs and large enterprises